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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Maharashtra Goseva Ayog modifies livestock market ban ahead of Eid, limits it to cattle market
The Maharashtra Goseva Ayog, which had earlier directed all Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) to suspend livestock markets from June 3 to 8 in view of Eid al-Adha, has now issued a revised directive. The new order limits the suspension to markets where cows, bullocks and bulls are sold. The earlier circular, issued on May 27, had drawn sharp criticism from opposition MLAs and members of the Muslim community, who questioned the rationale behind halting the sale of all animals — including sheep and goats — a week before the festival. The issue was raised during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday to review preparedness for the upcoming Bakri Eid festival in the state. The revised circular, dated June 3, states: 'In view of the upcoming Bakri Eid, you are requested to ensure that from 03.06.2025 to 08.06.2025, no markets for the sale of indigenous cattle (cows, bullocks and bulls) are held in any villages in your jurisdiction.' The previous circular had mandated the closure of all livestock markets across the state. In contrast, the latest directive is specific to cattle markets, citing the need to prevent violations of the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, which bans the slaughter of bovine animals (cow progeny) in the state. The Indian Express had reported on June 1 that the May 27 circular instructed all APMCs to shut livestock markets during the week of Bakri Eid to prevent illegal slaughter. The circular had emphasised vigilance, referencing state laws prohibiting bovine slaughter. The original order had sparked widespread backlash. 'The state needs to ensure that cow slaughter does not take place. But what is the intent behind shutting down the entire market,' asked Farooq Ahmad, state vice-president of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, who had led a protest in Nanded last week. 'If markets are not held, trade in animals such as goats, buffaloes and sheep will also stop. This will disrupt daily earnings for farmers, porters, brokers, drivers, the Qureshi-Khatik community and labourers.' Maharashtra has 292 livestock markets, most of which are regulated by APMCs. These markets are crucial for farmers, especially at the onset of the monsoon. While cattle are the primary commodity, smaller animals like goats and sheep are also traded, with transactions increasing ahead of Eid al-Adha.
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Maharashtra Govt Withdraws Ban On Livestock Markets Ahead Of Bakri Eid
Last Updated: The development came after the Maharashtra Goseva Ayog had issued a directive last week regarding the closure of livestock markets from June 3 to June 8. Ahead of the Bakri Eid on June 7, the Maharashtra government has reversed a contentious order from the state cattle welfare commission to shut down all livestock markets between June 3 and June 8. The state has also greenlighted a proposal to modernise Mumbai's 54-year-old Deonar abattoir, as confirmed by Muslim community leaders who attended a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday. This meeting, which included government officials, was convened to review preparations for the Muslim festival, which involves the slaughter of goats to honor the spirit of sacrifice. The development came after the Maharashtra Goseva Ayog, under the state department of animal husbandry, had issued a directive last week to all Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) to close livestock markets from June 3 to June 8. During Monday's meeting, Fadnavis informed Muslim MLAs that the directive had been withdrawn, Hindustan Times reported. According to attendees, Fadnavis assured them that his administration is committed to maintaining law and order during Bakri Eid and that traditional rituals would proceed without obstacles. The MLAs also called for more abattoirs in Mumbai and streamlined processes for obtaining no-objection certificates (NOC) from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for goat slaughter in housing societies. Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh confirmed that the state government responded positively to the concerns raised. 'We requested more abattoirs in Mumbai as the Deonar facility alone cannot meet the Eid demand. We also discussed the issue of BMC-issued NOCs for housing society goat slaughter," he said. Shaikh added that he urged the Chief minister to take strict action against certain organizations that obstruct the transport of non-bovine animals, assault vehicle drivers, and engage in unlawful activities under the guise of cow protection. Congress MLA Amin Patel stated that the demand to modernise the Deonar abattoir was accepted. 'We were informed that the plan has been approved and the tendering process for the upgrade will commence soon," he said. The state government has also instructed the BMC to ensure cleanliness and smooth vehicle movement at the abattoir during Bakri Eid week. First Published:
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Maharashtra withdraws ban on livestock markets during Bakri Eid week
Mumbai: Ahead of Bakri Eid on June 7, the Maharashtra government has withdrawn a controversial order by the state cattle welfare commission to close all livestock markets between June 3 and June 8. The state government has also approved a proposal to modernise the 54-year-old Deonar abattoir in Mumbai, according to leaders from the Muslim community who were present for a meeting with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday. The meeting, which included government officials, was held to take stock of preparations for the Muslim festival, during which goats are slaughtered to commemorate the spirit of sacrifice. The Maharashtra Goseva Ayog, which is part of the state department of animal husbandry, issued a circular last week to all Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) ordering them to close livestock markets from June 3 to June 8. The decision sparked a row, with members of the Muslim community opposing it. During Monday's meeting, Fadnavis informed the Muslim MLAs that the circular had been withdrawn. According to leaders present at the meeting, Fadnavis told them that his government has taken every step to ensure law and order is maintained during Bakri Eid, also known as Eid al-Adha. He also assured them that there would be no hurdles in the traditional rituals. The MLAs also demanded more abattoirs in Mumbai and the streamlining of the process to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for slaughtering goats in housing societies. Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh confirmed that the state government responded positively to the issues raised during the meeting. 'We demanded more abattoirs [in Mumbai] as the only abattoir in Deonar has not been able to meet the demand during Eid. The issue of NOCs given by the BMC for slaughtering goats in housing societies was also discussed,' he said. Shaikh also said that he requested the chief minister to take strict action against certain organisations that, in the name of cow protection, obstruct the transport of non-bovine animals, assault vehicle drivers, and indulge in unlawful activities. Congress MLA Amin Patel said that the demand to modernise the 54-year-old Deonar abattoir was accepted. 'We were told that the plan has been approved and the tendering process for the makeover will soon begin,' he said. The state government has also asked the BMC to ensure cleanliness and the smooth movement of vehicles at the abattoir during the Bakri Eid week, said another Muslim MLA, who requested anonymity. 'Around 175,000 goats are sold at the Deonar abattoir in eight days, with transactions of over ₹700 crore. The modernisation and the decentralisation of the abattoir needs to be done urgently,' the leader said.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra Govt to modify livestock panel's order for halt on animal markets: Opposition
Even as Opposition MLAs claimed the Maharashtra government on Monday has withdrawn a May 27 circular sent to all Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) not to hold any livestock market from June 3 to 8 ahead of Eid al-Adha, commonly known as Bakri Eid, the Maharashtra Goseva Ayog, which issued the directive, denied it has been withdrawn. 'One of the first agendas of our meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was this circular. We were told at the beginning by the animal husbandry secretary that the government has withdrawn the circular,' said Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Sheikh, after attending a meeting with the CM along with several other MLAs on the preparedness for upcoming Bakri Eid festival. Congress MLA Amin Patel, who was present at the meeting, said the demand has been accepted. 'It was conveyed that a new modified order will be issued,' said Patel. The Indian Express on June 1 reported that in a May 27 circular sent to all APMCs, the Maharashtra Goseva Ayog said in light of the upcoming Bakri Eid festival, when large-scale animal slaughter/ sacrifice is carried out, no livestock markets should be held in villages across districts from June 3-8 to ensure that no illegal slaughter of bovines takes place. 'Please stay vigilant in this matter,' it said, referencing the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, which enforces a complete ban on the slaughter of bovine animals (cow progeny) in the state. Despite the Opposition's claim, Maharashtra Goseva Ayog chairman Shekhar Mundada, however, denied withdrawing the circular. 'We have not withdrawn the circular. But we work only around preventing cow slaughter. We have nothing to do about other animals,' said Mundada. A highly placed source in the state government said the ban was never on goat meat and the circular is being modified. 'The state has strictly imposed a ban on cow slaughter which continues. But as far as goat or other animals are concerned, there was never a ban on it,' said a senior government official. N Ramaswami, secretary, animal husbandry department, could not be contacted for comment despite several attempts. Maharashtra has 305 principal and 603 secondary APMCs, and these are regulated by the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board under the APMC Act. There are 292 livestock markets functioning in Maharashtra, and almost all are regulated by the APMCs.
